Lubricating system



Dec. 18, 1951 W. M. EVANS 2,579,039

LUBRICATING SYSTEM s sheets-sheet 1 Original Filed May 17, 1943 Dec. 18,1951 W, M, EVANS 2,579,039

LUBRICATING SYSTEM Original Filed May 17, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WAL/AM,M EVA/vs,

Dec. 1s, 1951 Original Filed May 17, 1943 w. M. EVANS LUBRICATING SYSTEM3 Sheets-Sheet 3 gra/vwo@ WFM/AM 114. EVANS,

Patented Dec. 18, 1951 LUBRICATIN G SYSTEM William M. Evans, Inglewood,Calif., assigner to U. S. Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif.,a corporation of California Original application May 17, 1943, SerialNo. 487,270. Divided and this application April 3, 1948, Serial N0.18,733

6 Claims.

This invention relates to the lubrication of shafts.

The present invention is a divisiOn of my application for LubricatingSystem, Serial No. 487,270, led May 17, 1943, now Patent No. 2,500,454.

It is advantageous to provide an oil well ad- .jacent the bearing thatis to be lubricated. For

example, a shaft having an axis arranged in a substantially horizontalposition may be lubricated by passing oil upwardly from a well locatedbelow the shaft. For this purpose, oil rings or analogous devices havebeen used. All of them, however, require that the level of the lubricantin vthe well be maintained at a satisfactory point.

It is one of the objects of this invention to ensurethat the lubricantlevel be maintained in a well even when the shaft axis may vary froma--desired normal position. Thus, for example, even if a normallyhorizontal shaft be tilted considerably from that position, the distancefrom the axis of the shaft to the oil level is not materially altered.

Such an assurance for' maintaining the oil level constant is especiallyuseful where a continuous ow of oil is provided from the well to thebearings, and back to the Well, the rate of oil flow in this cycle beingregulated by an oil metering aperture. It is then assured that thecirculation of oil is substantially uniformly maintained.

Y One manner of maintaining the lubricant level in a well substantiallyconstant is to feed the lubricant to the well gravitationally, undervacuum control, from a source above the lubricant level in the well.Reliance is placed on the vacuum above the source to maintain thedifference in lubricant levels. Entry of air into the source, orreservoir, upon lowering of the well lubricant level, automaticallyreleases additional lubricant from the reservoir to replenish the wellsupply. Opening of the reservoir or its removal, whenever the lubricantrequires replenishment, disrupts the vacuum, and allows lubricant in theline between the reservoir and well to elevate the well level above thepredetermined point, which may not be desirable.

Accordingly, it is another object of the invention to permit thelubricant reservoir or source to be opened or disconnected fromcommunication with the lubricant well without substantially affectingthe liquid level in the well.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of oneembodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form inthe drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification.The form will now be described in detail, illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that thisdetailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since thescope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a partial sectional view, taken substantially along theplane I-I of Fig. 2, of a bearing structure and its associated parts,all as incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, taken along plane 2-2 of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken along plane 4 4 of Fig. 2;and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view, illustrating the manner in whicha lubricant reservoir may be utilized in connection with the invention.

In the present instance, a bearing structure I (Figs. 1, 2, and 3) isshown as formed of rolling elements, such as the balls 2, for supportinga horizontal shaft 3. This shaft 3 is shown as one that carries aninduction motor rotor 4. This rotor 4 is shown as cooperating with astator 5. Only the left hand bearing support for shaft 3 is shown. It isunderstood, however, that a bearing support is used at the other end ofthe shaft.

The stator 5 may be conventionally supported in a motor frame 6. Forexample, a flange I is shown, telescoping within the frame 6 and held inproper relationship to the frame 6, as by the aid of a spring keyingring 8.

The manner in which the bearing structure I is supported may now bedescribed. This bearing structure includes the inner race 9, directlymounted on the shaft 3. The outer race I0 is shown as accommodated in abore I I (Figs. 1 and 3) formed in a generally cylindrical bearingsupport I2. This bearing support I2 is shown as being formed integrallywith a bearing bracket I3. This bearing bracket I3 is provided with aplurality of ears I4 (see, particularly, Fig. 1) for attaching thebracket )I3 to the left hand end surface of the frame E. This may beaccomplished by the aid of the bolts I5.

lThe inner race 9 of the bearing structure I is held in fixed axialposition with respect to the shaft 3. Thus, the right hand edge of therace d is in contact with the hub I3 (Figs. 2 and 3) of a lubricantdistributor I'I to be later described. The hub of this distributor I'iis restrained against movement toward the right, as by the shoulder I8formed on shaft 3. Urging the inner race 9 toward the right against thehub I6, there are a pair of nuts I9 and 2i) which are threaded on theshaft and which may be tightened, as by the aidof a spanner wrench.

For the purpose of providing ventilation and for cooling the electricmotor, the extreme left hand end of shaft 3 is shown as carrying aVentilating fan 2I (Fig. 2). A frame or housing is provided for the fan,as by the aid of the sheet metal casing 22 and the cap 23. The sheetmetal casing 22 may be arranged to telescope over the ears I4, as shownmost clearly in Fig. 1. The cap 23 may be apertured, asrindicated at 24,to permit passage of the circulating air into and out of the casing 22.The casing 22 and the end cap 23 may be appropriately held in position,as by the aid of several long bolts 25 (Figs. 1 and 2). These boltsengage in appropriate threaded extensions 23 (Fig. 2) that are formed onthe heads of several of the cap screws I5.

Lubrication is supplied to the bearing structure I in a manner now to bedescribed. Lubricant, such as the body of oil 21 (Fig. 2), is disposedin a space formed adjacent the lower portion of the race 9. Thelubricant level is high enough so that the rolling elements 2 at thelower portion of the race 9 are partly immersed in the lubricant. Forthis purpose, the bearing support I2 is provided with a wall 28 (Fig. 2)forming the left hand boundary of a space in which the oil 21 isaccommodated. A similar wall 29, forming the right hand boundary, isprovided on the other side of the bearing structure I by a bearing cap39. This bearing cap 33, as shown most clearly in Figs. 2 and 3, has anend surface contacting the end surface of support I2. It is fastened tothe support I2, as by the aid of a plurality of bolts 3| (see also Fig.1). It also has a porf 'i tion 32 telescoping into a corresponding bore33 at the end of the support I2. Hub 34 of the cap 39 surrounds theshaft 3 with a slight clearance to form an oil seal around the shaft, aswill be explained hereinafter.

The oil 21 is supplied to the bearing structure I through an oilmetering aperture 36 disposed in the lower portion of the wall 29. Thisoil metering aperture 33 communicates with an oil well 31 formed in thelower portion of the bearing cap 39. This metering aperture 36 restrictsthe rate at which the oil circulates from the well 31 into the spaceadjacent the lower portion of the race 9, and thence over the wall 29back into the well 31. This circulation is set up due tothe agitation ofthe oil by movement of the balls 2.

To distribute the oil around the bearing structure I, use is made of theoil distributor I1. This may be in the form of a ring appropriatelyfastened to the shaft 3, and having its lower portion extending into theoil 21. As the shaft 3 rotates, oil is carried by the distributor I1upwardly, and the oil is thrown by centrifugal force toward the walls ofthe cavity 38, defined by the bearing support I2 and the cap 39, andhousing the distributor I1.

The arrangement is such that the level of the oil, or other lubricant,in the well 31 is maintained substantially constant. For this purpose,another oil Well 39 (Figs. 1 and 2) is formed in the bearing bracket I3,and is in constant communication with the oil well 31, as by the aid ofthe apertures 49-4I formed respectively in the support I2 and in the cap39. The level 5I) of the oil in well 39 is kept constant, and thereforethe same level is maintained in well 31.

For this purpose, a supply of oil for the well 39 is obtained from areservoir 42 (Figs. 1 and 5) in an elevated position above the well 39.This reservoir 42 is in the form of a transparent closed plasticcontainer appropriately ribbed for strength. Its lower edge is shown assealed in an annular groove formed in a metal flange 43. This metalflange 43 also carries the hollow externally threaded stem 44 which isin threaded engagement with a tting 45. A resilient gasket or seal 45 isdisposed between the bottom of the ilange 43 and the top of the fitting45. In this way, when the container 43 is threaded tightly in place, thefitting 45 is sealed against the ingress of air.

Oil, or other lubricant, 41 in the reservoir is in communication throughthe stem 44 with the hollow projection 99 extending downwardly from theitting 45.` This hollow projection is connected, as by a pipe 48, with aconduit 49. This conduit 49, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, is formedby walls joined integrally with the bearing bracket I3 and intersectingthe support I2. It slopes downwardly and opens within the well 39.

The oil lubricant 41, from the sealed container 42, is free to iiowdownwardly through the con-i duit 49 and into the well 39 only until thelevel 50 of the lubricant in well 39 reaches the top of the opening ofthe conduit 49 in the well 39. Further passage of lubricant is thenprevented because the lower end of the conduit 49 is sealed againstentry of air. Then no air can rise through the conduit 49. Therefore,the space above the lubricant 41 in the reservoir, being a partialvacuum, no oil or lubricant in the translucent container 42 flowsdownwardly. Should the level 50 recede, however, at least a portion ofthe lower end of the conduit 49 is exposed, permitting air to ow upthrough the conduit 49 into the reservoir 42; and oil can then ilow downthis conduit until the level 50 is reestablished.

The lower end of the conduit 49 is purposely brought close to thevertical plane 5I that passes through the axis of shaft 3; and the level50 is established quite close to the axis of the shaft 3. In this way,minor tilting of the lubricant well 39 about the shaft axis has littleeffect upon the position of the oil level 5D with respect to the shaftaxis.

An alternative conduit 52 (Figs. 1 and 3) is provided, symmetricallyarranged with respect to the vertical plane 5I. In this way, either thconduit 49 or 52 may be used as desired. The conduit that is not in usehas its upper end sealed, as by the aid of a conventional pipe plug 53.

Since the reservoir or container 42 is translucent, an operator mayreadily `determine when the lubricant 41 needs replenishing. Thisreplenishment should be accomplished without unsealing the conduit 49 atthe top; for, otherwise, the oil filling the conduit 49 would all flowout into the well 39. To prevent such an occurrence, a check valvearrangement is provided, illus.- trated most clearly in Fig. 5.

Thus, the hollow stem 44 is shown as having` a sloping lower surface 54.This sloping lower surface, when the container 42 is screwed intoplace,serves to urge a ball valve closure .55 downwardly against the force ofa compressionv spring 56. This compressionspring 56 is accom modated inthe -bore of a cap 51. Now, when the container 42 is to be unscrewed toremove it and to ll it again, the spring 56- expands, and the ball check55 is urged upwardly to the dotted line position. In this position it isseated upon the tapered seat 58 formed around the hollow stem 44. Inthis way, effective checking action is provided, preventing ingress ofair around the tting 45 while the container 42 is removed.

When the container or reservoir 42 is thus removed, it may be completelyrefilled with lubricant or oil 41, and then may be rapidly inverted andthreaded into place. In the process of screwing it into place, the ballclosure 55 is urged downward to the open position illustrated in Fig. 5.

rIhe oil level 50 of the well 39 is exposed to atmospheric pressure. Forthis purpose use is made of the conduit 59 (Figs. 1 and 2) formed in theboss 60. This boss 50 is shown as integral with the bearing bracket I3.Into its upper end is threaded the pipe 5I, provided with appropriatefittings, such as the elbows 62 and 63 for forming the opening to theatmosphere.

Provisions are also made for draining the oil from the lubricant wells31 and 33. For this purpose a conduit 64 (Figs. 1 and 2) is providedwhich extends through the boss 55 integral with the bracket I3. Intothis conduit 35 is threaded the pipe elbow 6B. A drain pipe 61 isaccommodated in the elbow 65 and may be closed by the pipe plug 58.

Provisions are made for ensuring that oil from the wells 31 and 39 willnot pass outwardly1 along the shaft 3 in an axial direction. For this Ypurpose, oil sealing sleeves 69 and 10 (Figs. 2 and 3) are carried bythe bracket I3 and the cap 3D. These sleeves dene very narrow annularpassageways between the outer cylindrical surface of the shaft 3 and theinner cylindrical surface of the sleeves. Oil that may splash around theshaft is held by capillary attraction in this narrow space. In this way,the oil thus held serves as a seal around the shaft. The space betweenhub 36 and shaft 3 forms, as heretofore stated, a supplemental oil seal.

The nut 2u may be provided with an overhanging flange 1I, and a similaroverhanging flange 12 may be carried by the oil distributor I1. Theseflanges serve to throw outwardly from the shaft 3 any lubricant that mayaccumulate thereon.

As heretofore stated, a fan 2l is provided for ventilation. This fancreates an air pressure differential through the bearing structure andthe bearing bracket I3. This, unless checked, would have the effect ofdisturbing the oil seals provided by the sleeves 69 and 13. In order toequalize the air pressure on both sides of the seals, use is made ofcommunicating air passageways. These may be best described in connectionwith Figs. 1, 3, and 4.

The bearing bracket I3 is therefore provided with horizontal conduits 13and 14 extending radially from the axis of shaft 3. These conduitscommunicate with the external atmosphere through apertures 83 in thecasing 22. These air conduits 13 and 1d are in direct cornmunicationwith an annular space 15 around shaft 3 and axially spaced to the leftfrom the sleeve 63. This annular space 15 is formed in the bracket I3.It is partially dened by the wall 16 that serves to separate space 15from the space 8l above oil well 39 in the bracket I3. Passageways 11(Figs. l and 3) extend from con- 'duits 1s 'through the-'support l2,communicating with corresponding passageways 18 (Fig. 3) in the bearingcap 3U, as well as with the annular space 35 formed inthe bearing cap.Accord.- ingly, since this annular space 35 is disposed to the right ofthe oil seal formed by the Sleeve' 1U, the air pressure at the outwardside of the seal is maintained the same as at the outward side of theseal formed by the sleeve 39.

The inventor claims:

1. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure adapted tosupport' a substantially horizontal shaft; means forming a lubricantwell below the shaft; a conduit extending upwardly from the well; saidconduit having an opening in constant communication with said well; anda sealed lubricant reservoir connected in fluidtight relation to thetop'of the conduit; the lower opening of the conduit being thus adaptedto determine the level vof lubricant in the well, the said lowerropeningbeing close to and below the axis of the shaft in order that the saidlevel remains substantially at a constant distance below the shaft axisupon incidental deviation of the well from a desired position.

2. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure adapted tosupport a substantially horizontal shaft; means forming a lubricant wellbelow the shaft; a conduit extending upwardly from the well; saidconduit having an opening in constant communication with said well and asealed lubricant reservoir connected in f1uidtight relation to the topof the conduit; the lower opening of the conduit being thus adapted todetermine the level of lubricant in the well, the said lower openingbeing disposed close to a vertical plane passing through the shaft axis.

3. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure ad-apted tosupport a substantially horizontal shaft; means forming a lubricant wellbelow the shaft; a conduit extending upwardly from the well and having avalve seat at its upper portion; a container adapted to be threadedlyengaged into the top of the conduit and sealing off said conduit; and acheck valve closure engageable with said seat to close the conduit whenthe container is removed; said container having a projection extendinginto the conduit for holding the closure Ioff said seat when saidcontainer is threadedly engaged in said conduit.

4. In a bearing lubricating system:l a bearing structure adapted tosupport a shaft; means forming a lubricant well below the shaft; aconduit extending upwardly from the well and having a valve seat; acontainer removably secured to the upper end of the conduit and sealingoff said conduit; a check valve closure engageable with said seat toclose the conduit when the container is removed therefrom; saidcontainer having a projection extending into the conduit for holding theclosure off said seat when said container is secured to said conduit.

5. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure; means forming alubricant well for said structure; a conduit opening into the well belowits normal lubricant level; a removable sealed lubricant reservoirconnectible in fluidtight relation to the conduit and adapted to containlubricant having a level above the normal lubricant level in the well;valve means for closing said conduit; and a valve operating member onsaid reservoir engageable with said valvemeans to open said conduit whensaid reservoir is connected to said conduit.

6. In a bearing lubricating system: a bearing structure adapted tosupport a substantially horizontal shaft; structure forming a lubricantwell below the shaft; a pair of conduits extending upwardly from thewell, one of said conduits extending on one side of a vertical planepassing through the axis of said shaft, and the other of Said conduitsextending on the other -side of said vertical plane and a sealedlubricant reservoir connectible in uidtight relation to the top 0feither of said conduits; the lower opening of the conduit to which saidreservoir is connected being adapted to determine the level of lubricantin the well, the lower openings of said conduits being in constantcommunication with said well and disposed close to a vertical planepassing through the shaft axis.

WILLIAM M. EVANS.

a support for the bearing ,5

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 918,453 Lanaux Apr. 13, 19091,096,658 Winters May 12, 1914 1,122,607 King Dec. 29, 1914 lo 1,256,020Hove Feb. 12, 1918 1,433,613 Harne Oct. 31, 1922 2,242,262 Ray May 20,1941 FOREIGN PATENTS ,15 Number Country Date i 800,604 France July 15,1936

